Dublin Travel Guide

A small star that shines bright

By global standards, Dublin could hardly make it as a flashy metropolis. But it doesn’t have to! The small capital of Ireland is an irresistible charmer no matter the size. It’s colorful and fun, with the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. To top it off, it’s also easy on the budget.
The city knows how to live and what matters in life. It has many green patches where you can unwind, tons of places to sit down and enjoy a beer, and streets that are super walkable.
The city’s joy for life and cultural (literary) heritage can be felt and seen everywhere. Let the character of Dublin inspire you when you visit. And let this short and informative travel guide help you find your way around this fun city!

What to see and do in Dublin

Guinness Storehouse and Old Jameson Distillery

Beer or whiskey, this is now the question. It’s the eternal dilemma and a hard decision to make. Well, the good thing is you can easily indulge in both when in Dublin. Not only that, here you have a perfect chance to learn how they make them and how it all began. If you’re a beer person, then a visit to Guinness Storehouse is a must! Travel back in time at the impressive museum and enjoy a free pint you get with a ticket. If you want to learn about whiskey, head over to the Old Jameson Distillery, and enjoy sampling its fine aroma at the end of a tour.

Dublin Castle

Located right in the center of Dublin, close to Trinity College, it’s a testimony to Irish rich history. The oldest parts of the castle date back to 13th century. Nowadays they use it for government purposes.

Trinity College

The beginnings go back to 1592 when Queen Elizabeth I founded this impressive and oldest college in Ireland. But what makes it so notable, aren’t just its famous alumni such as Oscar Wilde and beautiful surroundings. It’s the Old Library where even those who don’t enjoy reading will be tempted to take a book in their hands.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The largest and oldest cathedral in Ireland and one of the most popular landmarks of the country. It was built in honor of Ireland’s patron St. Patrick.

St. Stephen’s Green

A beautiful park where you can spend a few relaxing hours, have a picnic, stroll around the green patches, take pictures and feed the ducks.

Temple Bar

If you want to experience Dublin’s party scene, then Temple Bar is a place to start. Although it might be too touristy and not really authentic, this party hub of Dublin is worth a visit. During the day you can enjoy the art and a pint of beer at night when restaurants and pubs open their doors.

Travel costs

Accommodation

If you don’t mind the crowds, you can share a 10-bed dorm for US$ 15 or get a 4-bed room for US$ 16. Most hostels provide free WiFi and linen, some even give you free breakfast. For a budget-friendly hotel room with a bathroom, you’ll need to pay around US$ 55. Sharing Airbnb accommodation costs around US$ 17 per night, and US$ 55 per night for an entire apartment.

Food and drinks

Meals at inexpensive restaurants cost around US$ 16, while you can expect to pay at least US$ 65 for a three-course meal at a mid-range eatery for two people. Lots of places do so-called “early birds” where you can get lunch or dinner at a special price if you come early enough. Fast food meals cost around US$ 9. If you want to save some money on food, eat at local pubs, delis or farmer’s markets. You’ll have to pay some less than US$ 6 for a pint of domestic beer, and some less than US$ 3 for a cup of cappuccino. Dublin’s tap water is safe to drink, so there’s no need to buy bottled water that costs around US$ 1.50 for a small bottle. Drinking in Dublin can be pricey, so you might want to time it during the happy hours.

Transportation

Just like the rest of the country, Dublin has a good and reliable public transport. Hop on the tram (the Luas) to get around the city quick, easy and cheap. One-way tickets range from US$ 1-3.50 and round-trip tickets range from US$ 3.80-6. Taxi start costs from US$ 4.35 and a kilometer costs around US$ 1.36. You can see Dublin from a bicycle as well. They’re not expensive, renting it for three days costs only US$ 3.20. First 30 minutes of use are free, so you can simply change bikes after that time.Those traveling from or to the airport may consider looking into the Leap Visitor Card, it costs around US$ 11. If you travel to Cork or Galway, you can choose between train or bus. They both take roughly the same amount of time, but buses tend to be cheaper.

Sights

The amount of money you’ll spend on sights depends on your preferences, but there are many things you can see and for free. You don’t have to pay to enter some of the museums and galleries such as National History Museum, National Gallery, National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology. Guinness Storehouse tour costs US$ 15 and comes with a free pint of beer, and you can get it even cheaper if you book online. Trinity College costs around US$ 12 for adults. Book online to avoid queues. You can get Dublin Pass with Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and Entry to Over 30 Attractions from US$ 54 up. Enjoy Dublin’s famous Literary Pub Crawl for around US$ 15. If you’re a student, bring your ID card to get discounts.